Chelavara Falls Rappelling, Nearby Treks, and Complete Guide! (2020)

Chelavara Falls, Karnataka is one of the most beautiful falls in Coorg. The mighty falls gush down from a tremendous height of 150 feet and go about 100 feet below the water level. These falls are an ideal place for Waterfall Rappelling for adventure addicts.

Also, read our article on Nisargadhama Coorg.

The water is pure and crystal clear. A bath in these falls is dangerous but a very memorable one. You have to trek for about 200 meters through the forest to reach the waterfalls and the sight is breathtaking. There is a parking outside, where you can park your vehicles. Nearby places include Tadiandamol Peak, Chomakund Hills, Nalknad Palace, and Kabbe Hills.

What is the Best Time To Visit Chelavara Falls?

By far, Monsoon is the best season to visit the falls as water gushes down with full force and nature surrounding the waterfall is at its full bloom. The greenery, flowers, and birds all in their best form.

Though monsoon times are a bit dangerous too as you can be swept in due to the tremendous water pressure. Summers have less water in the waterfall and winters are a bit chilly, so bathing in the waterfall is not a very good idea. To get an idea of the live weather forecast at the Falls,  click here.

Summers:

Summer months are from March to June. Chelavara Falls in Summer months is dry with less water in the falls.

Monsoon:

Monsoon months are from June to August. The Monsoon months are coupled with heavy rainfall in Madikeri and Coorg, thus waterfall gushes with full force. This is the best season.

Winters:

Winters start from September to February. They are dry but still have more water than summers. Even winters are a good time to visit the waterfall.

How To Reach Chelavara Falls?

The falls lie on Virajpet-Talakaveri road about 23 km from Virajpet. The Chelavara falls distance from Madikeri is 43 kilometers. Road to the falls is covered with greenery and is a refreshing journey.

Pro Tip:

A pro tip is that, avoid taking your own car here as the road is very narrow and it is very risky to drive here. Roads here requires expert skills to traverse them. Another reason to avoid taking your car is that the parking space becomes full very fast due to the high tourist traffic.

By Road:

The Chelvara Falls lie near Virajpet and Madikeri. You first need to take a taxi, or a bus, or an Auto from the Cheyyandane bus stop in Virajpet which is 23 km away or you can also book a taxi from Madikeri which is 43 km away. The way from Madikeri goes via Virajpet, so you can change to an auto or bus from there.

Madikeri is well connected to all the major cities like Mysore, Mangalore, and Bangalore, etc through KSRTC buses. The distance from Chelavara Falls to Coorg is 40 km.

By Rail:

Kanhangad Railway Station is the nearest railway station about 110 km but it takes about 3 hours 23 minutes to reach the Falls, while Mysore is 126 km but takes just 2 hours 53 minutes. Choose whatever is close to you and suits you the best. We recommend you check-in at Madikeri or Coorg and then take a taxi to the falls.

By Air:

The nearest international airport is Thiruvananthapuram International Airport. Other nearby airports are Kozhikode Airport and Agatti Airport. From here you can either take KSRTC buses or trains to reach Chelavar Falls via Madikeri/Virajpet.

After the parking area, there is a small 200-meter trek that takes about 10 minutes to reach the falls. The path is well marked and is set alongside the waterfall. It is a great place to get your photos clicked. But the path might be slippery so proper caution needs to be taken.

What is the Chelavara Falls Entrance Fee?

Chelavara Falls entrance fee is nil. Yes, the falls are free to visit for everybody, whether an Indian or a Foreigner.

Chelavara Falls Timings?

The falls are open at all time, all seven days of the week. But it is recommended that you visit the falls between 8 am to 2 pm. At this time the temperature is cool and sun rays don’t bother you and your visit here is pleasant. And evening is not a good option either as bathing in the falls can lead to catching a cold.

highly-recommend-renting-a-homestay-near-Chelavara-Falls

Stay near Chelavara Falls?

To visit the falls and its nearby treks, you must take up a resting place near or in Madikeri. You can also take up a place in Coorg as well. While you can find a number of options for a comfortable stay, we highly recommend renting a homestay near Chelavara Falls.

There are beautiful properties set amidst the beautiful surroundings of misty valleys and trees. You can find a beautiful home to stay with generous hosts who take care of all your needs and also give you a taste of the culture around-their local food and wine, festivals, etc.

A homestay is a good option either way- if you are a solo traveler or traveling with a group. There are a number of online portals like homestay.com, Booking.com, tripadvisor.com are available to book a good homestay. Do remember to check for the reviews and match your exact requirements before you hire your homestay.

Things To Do at Chelavara Falls?

  1. Waterfall Rappelling
  2. Tadiandamol Trek via Chelavara Falls
  3. Trek to Chomakundu Hills
Chelavara-falls-rappelling-gives-you-an-opportunity-to-closely-admire-and-enjoy-the-waterfall
  1. Waterfall Rappelling:

Waterfall Rappelling on this 150 feet cascade is one adrenaline-pumping activity. This is one of the most enthralling adventures that Coorg has to offer. The activity takes 30 minutes to complete. Chelavara falls rappelling gives you an opportunity to closely admire and enjoy the waterfall.

The adventurous yet safe activity is conducted every days of the week by many agencies. This majestic cascade will surely leave you charmed. Climbing up the beautiful cascade while secured with a rope and placing your feet firmly over the wet stone is a feat to remember.

So do try and challenge yourself over this thrilling adventure of Waterfall Rappelling when you visit Coorg.

Tadiandamol-Trek-via-Chelavara-Falls

2. Tadiandamol Trek via Chelavara Falls:

Tadiandamol Trek is a trek to Tadiandamol Peak at a height of 1748m above sea level. The trek is of easy to moderate difficulty level, great for those who have just begun to explore their trekking bug. It is a single day trek including both ascend and descend from the peak.

About one-third of the trek can be covered via Jeep or motorcycles, but the rest two-third part has to be covered on foot. The last stage of the trek becomes tough but in the end its all worth it.

You can treat your eyes to the beautiful mist-covered valleys, Shola Forests, and feel the strong wind gushing through you. Trekkers also visit the Chelavara Falls and Nalknad Palace. The best time to trek is in monsoon and winters and the months from October to February are ideal.

3. Trek to Chomakundu Hills:

This small yet beautiful trek to the peak of Chomakund hills is great as it can be taken up by anybody- a beginner or an expert and that too without a guide. Chomakund hills are dewy and misty all around the year.

This trek starts at a pool and it stretches to about 5-6 kilometers at the max and takes just an hour and a half of your time to reach the top. Once at the top you can view the Shola forests and misty valleys, the view is exhilarating and the cherry on top is the sunset point. The view of the sunset from this quaint hilltop is purely ethereal.

Places near Chelavara Falls?

  • 1.Tadiandamol Peak
  • 2. Nalknad Palace
  • 3. Chomakundu Hills4. Kabbe Hills
  • 4. Kabbe Hills
Chelavara Falls Rappelling, Nearby Treks, and Complete Guide! (2020)
  1. Tadiandamol Peak:

Tadiandamol Peak in English literally means a rge mountain and it is an apt name as the peak is at a dizzying altitude of 5724 feet above the sea level. It is the highest peak of Coorg and 5th largest of the Karnataka. The view from here is mesmerizing. Tadiandamol trek is not that famous so, the trek has reserved its natural beauty and is away from commercialization and litter of plastic bags and sorts.

The way to reach the top is via a one-day trek and the way to the top winds through Coffee plantations, and wooded slopes and rising and falling terrains. It is an experience one of its kind. The distance from Tadiandamol to Chelavara Falls is 49 km.

This-palace-was-home-to-the-last-of-Haleri-kings-of-Kodagu-Chikka-Veerarajendra-before-the-British-deposed-him

2. Nalknad Palace:

Nalknad Palace or Nalkunadu is located in the Kodagu district of Karnataka and is situated near the village Yavakapadi. This palace was home to the last of Haleri kings of Kodagu, Chikka Veerarajendra before the British deposed him.

The palace was constructed between 1792-1794 AD by Dodda Veerarajendra who took refuge from Tipu Sultan here. This palace is a 2–story building with a Kalyana Mantapa(a place where marriage ceremonies take place) and a huge gateway. The palace also has a Durbar and two dark rooms which served as a hiding place for the king.

Walls of the palace are adorned with ancient painting and carving masterpieces. The palace is 45 km from Madikeri.

3. Chomakundu Hills:

Chomakund Hills are beautiful grasslands that lead to a dewy misty peak, where fog never seems to dissipate. These hills are 2 km from the falls and 22 km from Madikeri.

The hills are an easy trek and great for beginners. This trek is great as neither there is any need for experience or even a guide. If you re lucky you can find a wild elephant or a leopard if you are luckier.

4. Kabbe Hills:

If you are traveling from Chelavara Falls then to your right are Kabbe Hills and to the left lie the Chomakund Hills. While Chomakund Hills is more of meadow-like grasslands, Kabbe Hills are thick trees, but somehow leave the peak bare and barren.

Kabbe Hill peak is perched at a height of 3800 feet and can be reached through a Jeep Safari. The uniqueness of the peak lies in the fact that it overlooks two majestic states-Kerala and Karnataka.

From the top, you can have a view of the forests of Kerala and Coffee plantations and Chola forests of Karnataka. Its distance from Madikeri Bus Stand is 37 km.

Here are some Traveler Tips:

Last but not the least, before planning your trip to the falls, please go through this do-take-care-of list:

  1. Entering into the water of the falls is not advisable as it has been fatal to many over the past few years, to the extent that the government considered banning entry in the waters. The water is 100 feet deep and once you get engulfed by the cascading waters, it becomes hard to escape.
  2. Don’t forget your trekking shoes on both the waterfall and the nearby treks as it might get slippery.
  3. Best time to visit the falls is in the morning before 9 am. Weather is cool and morning breeze and greenery around makes it up for a perfect start.
  4. The drive from Madikeri to the falls takes two hours, so leave early as it is better visited within dusk. Also, take care that there is a 10-minute trek from the parking area and it might be difficult for the elderly and children.
  5. Cameras are allowed and there is no entry fee.

So, this was all about the mighty Chelavara Falls. A trip to these falls will always be a memorable one. The treks near the falls are simple yet beautiful. Tadiandamol trek has moderate difficulty level and the views en-route and on the peak are equally rewarding.

Chomakund Hills trek is a very easy trek and can be undertaken by anybody and last but not least the Jeep Safari to Kabbe Hills is a relaxing experience. The daring ones can also undertake the Waterfall Rappelling on the falls.

This rappelling experience is enough to satiate anybody`s adventure lust. A trip to the fall and nearby places is fun-packed and a must-do on your bucket list. Click here to read more

Also, read our article on Nisargadhama Coorg.

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